Nelson Mandela ‘in good spirits and comfortable’ after undergoing surgery

Former South Africa president Nelson Mandela is in a stable and comfortable condition in hospital after undergoing surgery, a government statement has confirmed.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital overnight (Pic: Getty)

Mr Mandela was admitted to hospital overnight for treatment for a ‘long-standing abdominal complaint’.

Officials said doctors felt the 93-year-old needed âspecialist medical attentionâ but a government spokesman later added the former president was âin good spirits and wellâ following the surgery.

South African president Jacob Zuma issued a statement this morning asking for Mr Mandelaâs privacy to be respected and later issued an update on the former president’s condition.

Mr Zuma declared: ‘Madiba [Mandela] is fine and fully conscious and the doctors are satisfied with his condition, which they say is consistent with his age.

‘He was in good health before admission in hospital but doctors felt the complaint needed a thorough investigation.

‘He underwent a diagnostic procedure as part of his ongoing medical management. We are happy that he is not in any danger and thank the doctors for their hard work and professionalism.

âHe is receiving good medical care and is expected to be discharged from hospital either tomorrow or Monday.â

Mr Mandela became South Africa’s first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in prison for his fight against the country’s apartheid regime.

The year before he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in bringing about the ‘peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa’.

In recent years his public appearances have become increasingly rare and last year he was admitted to hospital with an acute respiratory infection.